Sawhorse – DIY Must Have

Read Time: 10 Minutes.

Get a Helping Hand with the Right Sawhorse

In this blog, we look at:

• What is a sawhorse?
• What is a sawhorse used for?
• The benefits of a sawhorse
• Things to consider when buying a sawhorse

To tackle woodcutting tasks safely and quickly in your workshop or garden, a sawhorse is a solid investment. Used by DIYers, carpenters, and homeowners to work on projects, make repairs or support timber or logs, it could help make light work of your DIY and garden projects.  

What is a Sawhorse?

Suiting its name, a sawhorse is a sturdy, standalone frame that features four legs and is used to hold material that needs to be sawed. Often available in pairs to work together to hold larger items like logs and plywood, a worktop can also be placed across the two beams to give yourself that extra bit of workspace, should you need it.

The Benefits of a Sawhorse

Sawhorses (also known as trestle tables, bucks, saw-bucks, or mules) allow you to safely saw with one hand, whilst holding the log steady with the other. Offering accuracy and considerable time-saving benefits, sawhorses let you cut similar lengths of wood, one after another on an ongoing basis. You can also use the sawhorse as a guide to cut equal lengths, which is a useful feature if you’re preparing wood to be used in a wood burner, or wood-burning stove.

Things to Consider When Buying a Sawhorse

Sawhorses are typically made of metal, plastic, and wood. Whilst metal is generally considered the best option for DIYers, plastic can be used for occasional lightweight projects such as painting or cutting plywood. For those DIY enthusiasts lucky enough to have a dedicated work area with lots of space, a traditional wood sawhorse might be the preferred option. However, it’s worth thinking about what you’ll want to use it for.  A wooden sawhorse is a solid fixture so you won’t be able to move it around easily. Opting for a more portable option that can be readily moved between the garage and the garden, or between different sites, could make a huge difference.  Also, if space is an issue, you might want to consider something that can be folded away and stored out of sight, when not in use.

For added convenience and to save time, many sawhorses also come equipped with an adjustable measuring bar which makes it possible to chop each log to the same size for space-saving and stable stacking.

As well as speeding up the job, Sawhorses can also spare your back so look for a model that holds the subject log at waist level for comfortable cutting. Not only will this be more comfortable, but it will also prevent you from having to bend whilst you work, which could result in an accident.

The Handy Sawhorse

For added comfort, many sawhorses such as the Handy THSHWCS also include added chainsaw support. Featuring a secure mount for your chainsaw, and equipped with a safety-optimising guard for the guide bar tip, this additional safety feature offers a safe, quick, and less physically demanding alternative. Sitting on large flexible feet and featuring an all-steel construction and galvanised finish, it also offers excellent durability and will be your DIY best friend for years to come.

Whatever your preference, a sawhorse is a great work partner for when you need a helping hand to conveniently and safely tackle any DIY or woodcutting tasks.